Tracking and analysis of solar radio waves using a low-cost Radio Telescope in urban areas

Abstract

Radio telescopes are specialized instruments to detect radio-waves between 30MHz-300GHz from different astronomical sources. It has ability to capture radio signals from satellites effectively during high light pollution and cloudy weather. In Kolkata, light pollution being significant, radio telescopes offer an alternative to optical telescopes for signal tracking from different radio sources. Although radio telescopes are typically expensive devices, here the main objective is to develop a low-cost, user-friendly model by using dish antenna, connecting cables, low-cost satellite meter (SF720) and spectrum analyser (OWON Model XSA 1036TG) for training students in the area. Sun being a source of radio waves and its proximity to Earth helps in capturing the solar radio waves easily. Here, the signal capture is done from the Sun primarily. The signal analysis is done through two methods: by varying the inclination angles of the radio telescope and by measuring the signals at different hours of day at a fixed angle of 900. The results showed that signal strength improved as inclination angle changed from 00 to 900. In second case, the peak intensity was obtained around 2:00PM when Sun is overhead. This radio telescope is able to capture radio signals of frequency up to 3GHz.